SILVER CITY - Western New Mexico University is celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr with an annual ceremony on Monday, Jan. 18.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Mustang Dining Hall. Free to the public, the ceremony will include a viewing of the I Have A Dream speech, delivered by King in 1963.

Each year, a community member is recognized for distinguished service to the community with the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award. This year’s honoree is Mike Carillo, Administrator of the Grant County Detention Center.

A WNMU graduate, Carillo has an extensive career in the criminal justice field. He served as a Grant County Sheriff’s deputy from 1972 to 1979, a Bayard Police Chief from 1980 to 1982, Grant County deputy from 1983 to 1985, and Grant County Sheriff from 1987 to 1990.

Most recently, Carillo served as Deming Police Chief during a 20-year career with the Deming Police Department.

Carillo has been active with the community, partnering with Western New Mexico University and other organizations to develop outreach programs for families of the incarcerated.

The Martin Luther King Jr celebration will include a presentation of essays, written by detention center inmates expressing their feelings on the idea of freedom.

The event will conclude with a live performance by Albuquerque-based singer Rachel Ross, who will be singing several songs including “Precious Lord”, Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song.